ROBERT MOLENAAR

Personal Stats
DOB: 27th February 1969
Birthplace: Zaandam, Holland
Height: 6'2"


Profile

Dubbed 'The Terminator' following his £1 million move from Dutch club FC Volendam, in January 1997, the muscular Molenaar is, off the field, a million miles removed from the Schwarzenegger character you might expect.
Thoughtful and introspective, the former electrician adds the cultured passing ability fostered in Holland, to the more traditional defensive qualities of one so powerful.
Now in his third season at Leeds, Robert was promoted over David Wetherall to become Lucas Radebe's regular partner in the starting line up early in the 98/99 season, after being limited to just 23 league and cup starts in 97/98.
David O'Leary's appointment and a switch to a 3-5-2 formation, saw the Dutchman become a firm fixture in the United side, but he became the second Leeds player to suffer a cruciate ligament injury in the 1998/99 season, when he fell awkwardly at Arsenal before Christmas.
Having made excellent progress towards a return in time for pre-season training, Robert was rocked by the news in April, that he had re-ruptured the ligament and was sidelined until Christmas 1999.
Now building up his match fitness with the United second string after making his comeback against Liverpool reserves at the start of the year, he has been rewarded with a new 1 year contract and is confident that the 2000/2001 season will see him knocking on the door of the first team again.

Career Stats:

Squad No. 30

Position: Centre Back

Date Signed: 11th January 1997

Signed from: FC Volendam

Transfer fee: £1,000,000

International Honours: None

Previous Clubs: FC Volendam